Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 February 2021
632. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice her views on providing an exemption for the requirement of two languages to enter An Garda Síochána for persons who otherwise meet the criteria but have a learning difficulty relating to learning languages such as dyslexia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6905/21]
View answerThe Garda Síochána (Admissions & Appointments) Regulations, 2013 and Statutory Instrument 470/2013 govern entry to An Garda Síochána.
Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, a person is only eligible to apply for admission as a trainee where, on the closing date specified in the advertisement for the competition for the vacancy to which the admission relates, he or she has proven proficiency in 2 languages, one of which shall be either English or Irish.
Regarding future considerations on eligibility for entry into An Garda Síochána, the Deputy may already be aware that an Expert Review Group has been established to examine the issue of Garda recruitment, entry pathways and recruit education. This is a commitment under A Policing Service for our Future, the Government’s implementation Plan for the recommendations in the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The Group will examine a variety of matters relating to the recruitment of members to An Garda Síochána. The Group operates in an advisory capacity and will submit a report to the Garda Commissioner within 12 months. The question of any revision to the admission regulations will be considered in light of the Group's recommendations.
